Open a new document, 256×256px, and transparent background.

You will need to add grids. They are very useful, and can even be addictive, since they are of great help.

To place them, you will need to activate the rules (Ctrl + R).

Click and hold the mouse above the rule and drag it towards the center of the document. The grids will appear automatically.

In the following image you will see the values of the grids, vertical and horizontal.

With ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and Alt pressed,  draw a selection as the one you see below.

Fill it in with black.

Double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Gradient Overlay)).

Accept the changes and see the results.

Right click the name of the layer and choose ((Convert To Smart Object)) from the drop down menu.

Right click and select ((Rasterize Layer)).

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J).

To the duplicated layer apply ((Edit))-((Transform))-((90º CCW)).

At the moment you will have 2 thread plates, one vertical and the other horizontal.
Duplicate these layers to get this result.

It is important that each thread plate  fits with the center, where the grids cross..

Temporary, add a new background layer and fill it in with grey.

Select all the thread plates and press Ctrl + E to unify them.

Select the unified layer and press Ctrl + T to activate ((Free Transform)).

Then place 45º as rotation value (pointed with a red arrow in the image below).

Eliminate the layer with the grey background.

With ((Rectangular Marquee Tool)), trace the following selection.

It is important that the selection is well centered.

Save the ((Pattern)). ((Edit))-((Define Pattern)).

Open  anew document, 350×150px, and white background.

Double click the white layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Blending Options)).

((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #5a5555, #909191, and #5a5555.

((Pattern Overlay)). Select the Pattern that you saved in the previous document.

Accept the changes.

Create a ((New Layer)) and fill it in with black.

Apply ((Filter))-((Noise))-((Add Noise)).

Change the layer mode to ((Screen)).

Finally apply ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Motion Blur)).

This is the final result.

Open a new document, 1024×768px, and white background.

Double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Gradient Overlay)). The colors you will use will be: #3a3a3a and #828282.

Accept the changes.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Choose white as the foreground color.

Select ((Rounded Rectangle Tool)) radius: 8px and draw the following rectangle.

Double click the rectangle layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Bevel and Emboss)).

((Blending Options)).

((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #3b3b3b, #ffffff and #3b3b3b.

((Pattern Overlay)).

Accept the changes and see the results in the following image.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) with Alt + Shift pressed (proportional) and draw a selection as the one you see below.

Fill it in with black.

Deselect (Ctrl + D).

Double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)).

((Outer Glow)).

((Gradient Overlay)).

((Pattern Overlay)).

((Stroke)). Use these colors: #000000, #000000, #ffffff, #000000 and #ffffff.

Accept the changes.

Create a ((New Layer)).

With ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and Alt + Shift press (proportionally) and draw the following selection
Fill it in with white.

Trace another circular selection, smaller than the other one.

With the selection active, select delete.

Apply ((Layer Styles)) to the “ring” layer.

((Stroke)). Use these colors: #3b3633 and #dedede.

Accept the changes.

Duplicate the ring layer (Ctrl + J).

Activate ((Free Transform)) (Ctrl + T) and with Alt + Shift pressed, enlarge the size of the ring. See the following image.

Standing in the duplicated ring layer, trace a circular selection as the one you see below.

Then press delete.

Create a ((New Layer)).

With ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and Alt pressed trace the following selection.
Fill it in with white.

Change the layer mode to ((Soft Light)) and reduce the ((Opacity)) to 50%.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Trace a circle as the one you see below and fill it in with white.

Double click the layer and apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Outer Glow)).

((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #ff0000 and #000000.

((Stroke)). Use these layers: #f0f0f0, #3e3e3e, #f0f0f0 and #3e3e3e.

Accept the changes.

Create a ((New Layer)).

In the last circle you created, draw a reflection like the one that appears below:

Select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)), fill it in with white, and then reduce its ((Opacity)) to 10%.
See the final result.

Open a new document, 300×300px, and white background.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Rectangular Marquee Tool)), ((Style)): Fixed Size: 125×125px.

Click once anywhere in the document and the selection will be created automatically.

Fill it in with color #001be3.

Now go to ((Edit))-((Transform))-((Skew)). Click the flanks of the square and drag it down.

Double click the layer to go to ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Gradient Overlay)).

Accept the changes.

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J).

Apply ((Edit))-((Transform))-((Flip Horizontal)).

Arrange the layer to the right side of the cube.

Modify the fill color: #2558ff.

Now Ctrl + Click the right side of the cube (the first layer you created) to activate the selection.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Fill it in with color #2558ff.

Create the superior base of the cube.

Go to ((Edit))-((Transform))-((Distort)) and create the following movement…

…keep modifying until it looks like this.

Press Enter to accept.

Finally, double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Color Overlay)).

Accept the changes and see the final results.
It looks pretty real don’t you think?

Open a new document, 1024×768px, and transparent background.

Fill it in color #C3823E.

Apply ((Filter))-((Noise))-((Add Noise)).

Then ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Motion Blur)).

Press Ctrl + T to activate ((Free Transform)) and extend the background to the left and the to the right.

Double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Gradient Overlay)).

Accept the changes.

Before going on with the next step, you will have to download the file Apple.ai that has the shape and colors of “the Apple”.

Once you have downloaded it, open it in Adobe Illustrator.

Select the entire apple and press Ctrl + C to copy it.

Go back to the Photoshop document.

Press Ctrl + V and you will see a pop up that asks you to choose the type of paste. Choose “Pixels”.

Then select ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)) and trace the apple leave (as shown in the image below), right click the selection and choose ((Layer Via Cut)). You will cut, copy, and paste the selection into a new layer.

The apple and the leaf will be in separated layers.

Double click the apple layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Stroke)). The colors you will use for this gradient: #B4B4B4 and #FFFFFF.

Accept the changes.

Move the leaf a few pixels upwards so that it’s not very close to the apple.

Double click the layer and apply ((Drop Shadow)).

Accept the changes.

Choose black as the foreground color.

Select the font Motter Tektura and write the Apple text with the values that appear below. If you don’t have the said font, download it by clicking this LINK.

Now press Ctrl + T to activate ((Free Transform)) and rotate the text until it looks like this.

Stand int he text layer and go to ((Layer))-((Layer Style))-((Blending Options)).

((Drop Shadow)).

((Stroke)).

Accept the changes.

Finally, you will have to fix the holes that appear in the letter “a”.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)) and create a selection as the one that appears below.

Choose white as the foreground color.

Now with ((Brush Tool)), 50px, and ((hardness)): 50%, paint the selection with white.

Deselect (Ctrl + D).

Done!

Open a new document, 400×400px, and black background.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Line Tool)), ((Weight)), 1px, trace a horizontal line throughout the document (press and hold Shift while you do so). Fill it in with white.

Trace the same type of line, vertically.

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J).

Select the duplicated layer, then press Ctrl + T -((Free Transform))- and, from the options bar placed in the superior part of the window, enter 45º as the rotation value. Press ENTER.

Select the two layers except for the background one and press Ctrl + E to unify them.

Press Ctrl + T and enter 22,2º as the rotation value. Press ENTER.

Select the 2 superior layers and press Ctrl + E to unify them.

Now press Ctrl + T and enter 11,3º as rotation values. Then press ((Enter)).

Go to ((Filter))-((Distort))-((Twirl)). ((Angle)): 50º.

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J) and go to ((Image))-((Transform))-((Flip Horizontal)).

Press Ctrl + E to unify the layers.

The following step is optional. If you want to colorize the star, Ctrl + Click the layer to activate the selection and create a gradient using ((Gradient Tool)).

We will first place the background, this time we will use a wooden texture. You will be able to download it from HERE.

Open a new document, 1200×1200px, and place the image of the texture.

Download the image of these fruits by clicking HERE and open it in Photoshop.

Then with ((Pen Tool)) or ((Polygonal Lazo Tool)), trace the fruits’ contour.

With ((Free Transform)) (Ctrl + T), reduce the size of the fruits. The idea is that there is an important distance between the fruits and the document’s borders.

Double click the image to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Drop Shadow)).

Accept the changes.

Now with ((Pen Tool)), trace the pack’s contour. You can download an image of those packs in Google, which can make the job easier.

Press Ctrl + Enter to transform the trace into selection.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it underneath the fruits.

Choose white as the foreground color and medium grey as background.

Then go to menu ((Filter))-((Rener))-((Coluds)).

Now apply ((Filter))-((Artistic))-((Plastic Wrap)).

Reduce the ((Opacity)) to 25%.

Go to ((Layer))-((Layer Mask))-((Reveal All)). As you will see, the mask is white, so you will have to use black in order to erase.

Select ((Brush Tool)), 120px, ((Hardness): 0%, black as foreground color, stand in the mask layer and erase the central areas leaving the flanks visible.

In this step, we will create the superior part of the pack. The technique is similar.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it above the other ones. Repeat the previous steps: ((Shape)), ((Clouds)), ((Plastic Wrap)) y ((Layer Mask)). Then reduce the opacity to 30%.

Now we will create the plastic bevel.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it above the other ones.

Press D to reset the colors to black and white.

Press Ctrl + Click the pack’s layer to activate the selection.

Then go to ((Filter))-((Render))-((Clouds)). Afterwards, ((Filter))-((Render))-((Difference Clouds)). Now press Ctrl + F to repeat the last filter 2, 3 or 4 more times.

Go to menu ((Filter))-((Artistic))-((Plastic Wrap)).

Then ((Filter))-((Distort))-((Spherize)). (Amount: 100%).

Now change the layer style to ((Lighten)).

There is a lot of brightness. We will create a ((Layer Mask)) and erase the unnecessary shines, specially the ones that surround the pack.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it underneath the other ones.

Ctrl + Click the layer to activate the selection.

Fill it in with black.

With ((Move Tool)), move the black selection about 15 or 20px downwards and to the right.

Now apply ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Gaussean Blur)).

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it above the other one.

Choose white as the foreground color.

Ctrl + Click the pack to activate the selection.
Go to ((Select))-((Modify))-((Border)): 1px.

Press Alt + Backspace to fill in the selection with white.

Then reduce the ((Opacity)) to 25%.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it above the other ones.

With ((Penn Tool)) trace the lines of closure of the pack.

Choose ((Brush Tool)), 2px, and ((Hardness)): 100%.

Go to ((Window))-((Path)) to see the trace palette.

Right click the traces you created and choose ((Stroke Path)), ((Brush)) from the drop down menu.

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J) 3 more times and apply different opacity levels.

Create a ((New Layer)) and bring it to the front.

Create another trace in the superior part of the pack, ((Brush Tool)), 20px, and choose  #fbd816 as the foreground color.

Go back to the traces’ palette, right click the trace and select ((Stroke Path)), ((Brush)), and accept.

Right click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Inner Glow)).

((Bevel and Emboss)).

Accept the changes, duplicate the layer, (Ctrl + J) and place it a few pixels downwards.

Then you will see my final result, I hope you liked it.

Open a new document, 310×120px, and white background.

Choose color #4d2607 as the foreground color.

Select the font Times New Roman, size 100px, and write “TEXTO”.

Now go to ((Layer))-((Layer Style))-((Blending Options)).

((Drop Shadow)).

((Bevel and Emboss)).

((Pattern Overlay)).

Accept the changes.

Then press Ctrl + Click the layer to activate the selection.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Fill it in with color #ECB200.

Stand in the layer you just filled in and select ((Erase Tool)), size 85px, with the values that appear in the following image (pointed with red arrows).

Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Bevel and Emboss)).

((Pattern Overlay)). Select the ((Pattern)) you want. I recommend you not to use thin lines, nor objects with low-visibility.

Accept the changes. See how the Pattern is transparent.

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it below the text.

Fill it in with black.

Copy the last 2 ((Layer Styles)) you applied to this layer: ((Bevel and Emboss)) and ((Pattern Overlay)).

Create a ((New Layer)) and place it above the previous one.

Fill it in with color #ECB200.

Change the layer mode to ((Darken)).

Finally, reduce the ((Opacity)) to 70%.

This is the final result.

Open a new document, 800×600px, and black background.

Now apply ((Filter))-((Noise))-((Add Noise)).

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J).

Change the layer style of the duplicated layer to ((Color Dodge)).

Select the 2 layers and press Ctrl + E to unify them.

In the unified layer, create a ((Layer Mask)).

Create a ((New Layer)), fill it in with black and bring it to the background.

For those who don’t know what the ((Layer Mask)) is for, let me tell you. As you could see, when you created the mask, a white square appeared to the flank of the layer. The white color represents the visible areas of the layer, color black represents the opposite. If you paint with black, standing in the ((Layer Mask)), you will erase. If you paint with light grey you will partially erase, and so will happen if you paint with any color from white to black. You can also use black color and erase lowering the opacity, and this is what we will do.

Choose black as the foreground color.

Select ((Brush Tool)), size 300px, ((Hardness)): 0%, and ((Opacity)): 30px.

Stand in the ((Layer Mask)) and paint the document diagonally to eliminate the stars that appear in the corners.

See the result in the following image and see how the ((Layer Mask)) looks.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Rectangular Marquee Tool)) and create a selection as the one that appears below.

Fill it in with white.

Modify the ((Fill)) to this layer to 0%.

Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #081828 to transparent.

Accept the changes.

Choose white as the foreground color.

Write the word “SHINE” or the one you want, using the font Futura LT BT. You can download it by clicking HERE.

For the text, use the values that appear pointed in the image below.

Duplicate the text layer (Ctrl + J).

Stand in the duplicated text layer and go to ((Edit))-((Transform))-((Flip Vertical)). Place it as shown below, since you want to make it look as the reflection of the original text.

Then to the duplicated layer, apply a ((Layer Mask)) and with a soft black brush and ((Opacity)): 30%, paint the ((Layer Mask)) until you see something like what appears in the following image.

Before going on, download this BRUSH of stars and install it.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Choose one of the brushes you downloaded and paint some shinny stars over the letters. See the result in the following image.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Pen Tool)) and draw some traces as the one that appears below.

Press Ctrl + Enter to transform the trace into selection.

Fill in the selections with white.

If these “spines” are in different layers, press Ctrl + E to unify them in an independent layer.

It is very important that they are in the same layer.

Stand in the “spines” layer and go to ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Motion Blur)).

Then ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Gaussean Blur)).

This will be our final result.

Open a new document, 500×500px, and transparent background.
Select ((Gradient Tool)), ((Lineal Gradient)) and trace a vertical gradient from black to white.

Now open ((Filter))-((Render))-((Difference Clouds)).

If you don’t like the shape of the black thunder that appears in the center of the document, press Ctrl + Alt + Z press undo and apply the filter ((Difference Clouds)) again.

Now press Ctrl + I to invert the image.

Then Ctrl + L to edit ((Levels)). Move the middle slider completely to the right and the black one almost to the middle.

Now press Ctrl + U to open the ((Hue/Saturation)). Select ((Colorize)) and enter the following values.

As you will see in the image above, there are some imperfections. In order to correct them, select ((Brush Tool)) with a soft brush and paint the black circle that appears below the thunder.

See the correction in the following image.

Open the the image you will add the thunders to. You can download it by clicking HERE.

Copy (Ctrl + C) and paste (Ctrl + V) the ray into the image.

To the thunder layer, change the blending mode to ((Screen)).

There’s a part that appears in front of the building. In order to fix this, select ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)), and trace the the contour of a part of the building.

Standing in the thunder layer, press delete.

In the final image, I duplicated the thunder and applied some more. I used ((Free Transform)) (Ctrl + T) to deform them so that they look different.

Another imperfection is that there is smoke where the thunder begins. To eliminate the smoke, select ((Erase Tool)) with a soft brush and erase it.

This is my final result.

Open the image of the racing car. You can download the image by clicking HERE.

Create a ((New Layer)), fill it in with black and reduce the ((Opacity)) to 70%.

To this layer apply ((Filter))-((Render))-((Lens Flare)) in the car’s wheel.

After applying this filter select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and trace a circle surrounding the wheel. Take a look at the following image.

Now go to ((Filter))-((Artistic))-((Plastic Wrap)).

Create a circular selection surrounding the filter and apply ((Filter))-((Distort))-((Twirl)). (Angle: 470º).

With ((Free Transform)) (Ctrl + T), reduce the layer until it fits the wheel.

In the same layer, fill in with black the area where you can still see the original image.

Now go to ((Filter))-((Stylize))-((Wind)). (Method: Wind, Direction: From the left).

This is the most important step. Let’s create the shape of the fire going to ((Filter))-((Liquify)). Use a medium brush size and select ((Forward Warp Tool)). Now you just have to play with this amazing tool to create a realistic effect.

Accept the changes and increase the ((opacity)) to 100%.

Press Ctrl + B to open ((Color Balance)). Enter the following values selecting ((Highlights)).

Change the layer style to ((Screen)).

With ((Free Transform)) (Ctrl + T) rotate the layer until the fire is in perspective to the car’s position.

Adjust the colors of the flame. Go to ((Image))-((Adjustments))-((Levels)) or press Ctrl + L. Move the Midtones slider towards the right until you are Ok with the changes.

Now the flame is ready.

First, download this TEXTURE.

Open the texture in Photoshop.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and draw a circle as shown in the following image¡.

Fill it in with color #1e2416.

With the selection still active go to ((Select))-((Modify))-((Contract)): 10px.

Standing in the circle’s layer, press delete.

Don’t deselect.

Go to menu ((Edit))-((Stroke)). The color you have to use use is #262c1d.

Now you must apply a little bit of shine, since the circle looks pretty dark. Go to menu ((Image))-((Adjustments))-((Brightness/Contrast)).

Duplicate the background layer (Ctrl + J), since you will work in it and you need a copy in case something goes wrong.

Standing in the duplicated background’s copy, paint with ((Burn Tool)), ((Shadows)), using a soft brush, in the interior an outside edges. Take a look at the result.

Double click the circle layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Bevel and Emboss)).

((Texture)).

Accept the changes to get this result.

Now you need to download the light image by clicking HERE.

Open the image and copy it to the document so that you place it this way:

You can apply ((Dodge Tool)) to give more brightness.

You will turn on the light. In order to do so, go to ((Image))-((Adjustments))-((Color Balance)).

Shadows: 43, 0, -77.

Midtones: 79, 0, -100.

Highlights: 0, 0, -84.

Accept the changes.

Double click the layer to open the ((Layer Styles)) window and apply ((Outer Glow)).

Accept the changes.

Let’s make it a little bit blurry. ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Gaussean Blur)).

Create a ((New Layer)).

Select ((Rectangle Tool)) and draw 2 vertical lines (any color).

Press Ctrl + E to unify them in an independent layer.

Duplicate the layer to complete the total background’s width.

Select the layers again and press Ctrl + E  to unify them.

With ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)), trace a circle as the one that appears below.

Then invert the selection. ((Select))-((Inverse)). Press delete.

Duplicate the background layer (Ctrl + J) and bring it to the front.

Ctrl + Click the layer to activate the selection.

Now ((Select))-((Inverse)) and press delete.

Finally apply ((Dodge Tool)) to give some brightness to the light bars.

This is the final result.

Open a new image, 640×480px, and transparent background.

Fill in the background with color #b2b0b1.

Create a ((New Layer)) and fill it in with white.

Choose #b2b0b1 as the foreground color and #892121 as background.

Go to menu ((Filter))-((Render))-((Fibers)).

Use these values: variance- 5,0 and strength: 31,0.

As you could see in the image below, the blood starts falling down from the bottom, which is no logic at all haha.

In order for the blood to fall down normally, go to ((Edit))-((Transform))-((Flip Vertical)).

Then ((Filter))-((Stylize))-((Diffuse)).

Press Ctrl + L to open the window ((Levels)). Apply the following values.

Modify the layer mode to ((Multiply)).

Duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J).

Finally, to the duplicated layer, change the layer style to ((Color Burn)).

Done!

Open a new document, 500×250px.

Fill it in with color #339f73.

Select ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)) and trace a shape identical to the one that appears below.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Go to menu ((Edit))-((Stroke)).

Merge invisible the background by clicking the eye next to the layer.

Select ((Rectangular Marquee Tool)) and draw a rectangle all around the shape.

Then go to ((Edit))-((Define Pattern)), enter a name and save it.

Eliminate the layer and leave the background only.

With ((Pen Tool)) trace an undulation as the one that appears below.

Select ((Brush Tool)) and choose the brush you created before.

Then go to ((Window))-((Brushes)).

((Brush Tip Shape)).

((Shape Dynamics)).

Choose white as the foreground color.

Open the layer menu.

Right click the undulation trace and choose ((Stroke Path)), Brush, and accept.

Voila!

Try different styles and brush shapes to get different effects.

Open the image of the curtain. You can download it by clicking HERE.

Now save the image as PSD (curtain.psd). I will then explain to you why.

For this tutorial I placed the Design Owners in a new layer, filled in with light grey, over the curtain.

Now go to ((Filter))-((Distort))-((Displace)).

Once you accept, a window asking you for the PSD file you previously saved will pop up.

You will have this result.

As you might notice, the effect in the image above doesn’t look real at all.

Change the layer style to ((Overlay)).

Very easy! You will also be able to apply this effect in home curtains and t-shirts.

Open a new document, 600×400px.

Fill it in with color #1c1727.

Now with ((Pen Tool)) trace 2 points as shown below.

Select ((Brush Tool)), 3px, Hardness: 100%.

Choose white as foreground color.

Go to ((Windows))-((Brushes)).

((Shape Dynamics)).

In ((Path)), right click the trace name and choose ((Stroke Path)).

The type of fill you have to choose will be Brush, of course.

In the new layers, create more curved traces and repeat the previous steps to get something like this.

Select all the layers you draw fireworks in and press Ctrl + E to unify the layers.

Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).

((Drop Shadow)).

((Outer Glow)).

Accept the changes.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Choose white as the foreground color.

Select ((Brush Tool)), size 200px, hardness: 0%, and draw a point in the middle of the firework.

Change the layer style to ((Overlay))

Create another ((New Layer)).

Then select a white brush, 50px, hardness: 0% and paint the center of the fireworks.

Change the layer style ((Overlay)).

Now duplicate the layer (Ctrl + J) 3 times more.

Create a ((New Layer)).

Once again, choose ((Brush Tool)) and go to menu ((Window))-((Brushes)) to enter these styles.

((Brush Tip Shape)).

((Shape Dynamics)).

((Scattering)).

((Other Dynamics)).

Once you have applied the styles, draw the sparkles and little particles that fireworks have.

Double click the layer to apply ((Outer Glow)).

This is how it will look.

Applying the adjustment layer ((Color Balance)), you will modify the colors.